Chapter II

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

a positive feeling of liking

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

how long something has existed

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

the two together, not just one

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

being joined in close association

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

showing effects of planning or manipulation

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

a petty disparagement

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

to say again or imitate

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

apart from; not including

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

with no protection or shield

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

set up or found

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

a long fixed look

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

not any; not one

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

a town in southeastern Virginia (south of Richmond); scene of heavy fighting during the American Civil War

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

lacking power

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading Her enemies could but echo her friends' praise of her beauty; her friends could but confirm her enemies' description of her character.

plural of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

established beyond doubt

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

hold back within

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

having won

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Though of birth that might almost be called humble, she had been connected with the heads of many distinguished families; and so general was the affection she inspired, and so winning the ways in which she contrived to retain it, that she found herself, at the age of thirty, mistress of nothing except a large fortune.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading In Paris and St. Petersburg, no less than in London, her name was equally familiar both to princes and to pot-boys; indeed, the gaze of all the world was fixed on her.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.

a late time of life

From this reading Miss St. John had, for at least six years, been the most renowned woman in Europe.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet, in spite of this exposed situation, scandal had proved powerless to wrong her; she defied detraction.